SUNDAY STREETS @ Galeria de la Raza

I'll be participating at this wonderful event, 

TODAY! SUNDAY JULY 1ST, 11 TO 4PM!!

Sunday Streets: July edition Sunday, July 1, 2012 | 11:00 am - 4 pm If you're heading over to the Mission for the latest installment of Sunday Streets, stop by Galeria for a Sunday treat. We'll be setting up a pop-up shop in the main gallery space featuring eyecatching works from local artisans including Oscar Cisneros, Marta Rodriguez, and a live screenprinting demo by Melanie Cervantes and Jesus Barraza of Dignidad Rebelde!  Neighborhood artist Michele Simons will be leading workshops all day in Studio 24 - drop-in to make your very own MARACAS!  RSVP on Facebook >> For more info on Sunday Streets >>

Pasion de Frida

Will be one of the artists participating in this lovely show honoring the birthday of Frida Kahlo: born on July 6, 1907. Beautiful work will be on display from artists across the country honoring the legacy of La Frida! Hope you can stop by for the opening. Show runs until August 28th.

a second try...NEW WORK JUST FINISHED IN JUNE

Yesterday, in my haste to post photos on Facebook, pin on pinterest, followup on emails and post on my blog, I couldn't get my photos to load properly. Instead of deleting the blog post, it was posted with no info. Horrors!!! Zut alors. Que lástima!

Well today, Sunday, I'm back and posting with photos in the right position. Also, not in such a 

rush which is a good thing.

Here's my latest work for June. Sometimes I wish I could work faster and be more prolific but I'm 

only as fast as my mind, fingers and hands will take me.

The first is a painting of Frida among cacti. She is wearing a rebozo of  cactus with thorns signifying 

her life filled with pain.

The second painting is of the view of a woman sitting who has a very voluptuous butt. I love to 

celebrate the various shapes of women - particularly large woman. That there is beauty in every 

shape is the message I'm trying to convey. This painting is part of my Thick Girl series

On other fronts, today is Father's Day. Made breakfast for husband Gary and my son Mario is coming over with his wife Adela and my grand kids Leo and Isabelle. My daughter Gaby is making enchiladas and I'm helping her. Should be fun with lots of noise. Isabelle, at one, loves to scream, in delight, particularly at dog Chip.

Another day...

 

Frida, Life in Chains 24 X 30, mixed media: gel medium, acrylic on canvas

Frida, Life of Thorns, closeup

Red Dress, 24 X 30, acrylic on canvas

Red Dress, closeup

Photo-op with Mayor Ed Lee

Out yesterday, Sunday, working Sunday Streets at Galeria de la Raza on lower 24th Street. Selling my jewelry and crafty items, the streets were alive and happening with a great mix of latinos and hipsters or latino hipsters, other San Franciscans and visitors promenading, bicycling, skateboarding or riding unusual two or three wheeled vehicles blowing bubbles or blasting music everywhere. It was a scene!

This is the San Francisco I fell in love with many years ago. All types of people on the streets, enjoying the sunshine (in June?) and feeling like a true community. I believe events like Sunday Streets provide San Franciscans an opportunity to enjoy our neighborhoods. Our incredible diversity is highlighted in these events. We walk away feeling united, happy to live in such a beautiful city while together dealing with high rents and housing prices, a slightly improved employment rate, homelessness, sometimes frustrating politics, dismal public education. Yes, it all looks pretty on the outside but like any city, there are issues. At least we have Sunday Streets to remember why we live here.

Did I mention politics earlier?

Mayor Ed Lee was doing a "walk through" of various businesses and organizations yesterday on Lower 24th Street. He stopped by, with his peeps (group of staff members and supervisors) to talk with people. He spoke with Ani Rivera, the Executive Director of Galeria de la Raza for a few minutes. Having my camera...I saw my own chance for a photo op. Working on adrenalin, I asked one the staff members whether it was okay to take a photo with the Mayor. He said Mayor Lee was very nice and I should just ask him. Ani was nice enough to introduce me to him and I immediately blurted out, "I live in Glen Park too." He came back with, "All the artistic people live there." I loved that! One of his staff members volunteered to take the picture with me in it. When we lined up, I didn't know where to put my hands. I asked the Mayor: "Can I touch you?" A few guffaws erupted from his staff. Mayor Lee said Yes to my question so I carefully placed my hand on his shoulder. It wasn't until I got home that I thought about how my question of "Can I touch you" might have been inappropriate to say to the Mayor or anyone else for that matter.

Sometimes too much adrenalin doesn't always work in your favor!

Here's the pic (and other Sunday Street photos follow)

Ani Rivera, Mayor Ed Lee, me and assistant to Mayor Lee

Michele Simons and some of her clients making flowers @Galeria de la Raza on Sunday Streets

Oscar Cisneros of Tu Tienda Azteca selling his FAB folk art at Galeria de la Raza, Sunday Streets

Sunday Streets in front of Galeria de la Raza on Lower 24th St.